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346 for believing a person, but because my vanity will have it that no man could lie to me steadily for an hour without my perceiving. Your story is an extraordinary one; but Manderson was an extraordinary man, and so are you. You acted like a lunatic in doing what you did; but I quite agree with you that if you had acted like a sane man you wouldn't have had the hundredth part of a dog's chance with a judge and jury. One thing is beyond dispute on any reading of the affair: you are a man of courage.'

The colour rushed into Marlowe's face, and he hesitated for words. Before he could speak Mr. Cupples arose with a dry cough.

'For my part,' he said, 'I never supposed you guilty for a moment.' Marlowe turned to him in grateful amazement, Trent with an incredulous stare. 'But,' pursued Mr. Cupples, holding up his hand, 'there is one question which I should like to put.'

Marlowe bowed, saying nothing.

'Suppose,' said Mr. Cupples, 'that some one else had been suspected of the crime and put upon trial. What would you have done?'

'I think my duty was clear. I should have